For STUDENTS

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You probably have a lot of questions running through your head about your future— Education/training, potential occupations, and of course, wondering how to make it all happen.

Apprenticeship is a really smart option that allows students with a high school diploma or GED to work in their field of interest, getting on-the-job, hands-on experience while earning a salary. Not only do you get to dive into your future career, you take college courses part-time, working toward an Associate Degree. With The Maine Apprenticeship Program, you can earn while you learn!

Here are just some of the ways you can benefit from an Apprenticeship:

Receive wages and benefits. You are considered an employee of your sponsor. You have an increasing scale of wages during the entire training period—as your skills grow, so does your paycheck.
Get on-the-job training with the guidance of skilled/experts in your occupation of interest.
Receive related instruction related to your Apprenticeship in classroom, home study or correspondence courses.
Get reimbursed up to HALF of your tuition fees by The Maine Apprenticeship Program.
Have a detailed, planned training schedule for your time as an Apprentice. Your Registered Apprenticeship program will make sure that the training will meet the standards for your field.
Earn local, state, and/or national recognition for your successful completion of the program.
Get your career started on the right foot by receiving vital training and a college degree that take advantage of your abilities and interests.
Acquire the skills necessary to advance more quickly to positions with higher responsibility and pay.
Earn nationally recognized certification of your skills upon completion of your Apprenticeship.

Contact your high school counselor, work-based learning coordinator, or the Apprenticeship Coordinator at your local Maine CareerCenter for more information about the doors that Apprenticeship can open for you.

How long does an Apprenticeship usually last?

To earn your certificate of completion and achieve journeyperson status (or your occupation’s equivalent level), ex:

Approximately two to four years of work and school training, a portion of which can be completed during high school. This depends on the occupation. A full-time Apprentice can expect related instruction to be 180 hours per year and on-the-job training for 2,000 hours per year.

Once you determine an occupation of interest, you need to find a job with a Maine Apprenticeship Program sponsor. This may be a company with an existing program or a new company that is willing to register a program. Some Apprenticeship sponsors can be found on our MAP sponsorship page. This partial listing of program sponsors does not indicate that they are taking applications for Apprenticeship or employment. Program sponsors individually determine when they will take applications. It’s a place to start!

Any high-school-aged Apprentice must be registered in an Apprenticeship program. As a participant in the program, you must abide by the rules and training plan as outlined in the Apprenticeship standards for your particular apprenticeable occupation. Your training plan outlines what you will learn on-the-job as well as the related instruction associated with the occupation.

Common Misconceptions about Apprenticeship

Fiction: Apprenticeship programs are for students over 18 years old

Fact: The student must be at least 16 years old and have a GED

Fiction: Apprenticeships are only available in the “traditional trades”

Fact: There is a huge variety of apprenticeable occupations—over 800 to choose from in fields like Culinary Arts, Information Technology, Cosmetology, Mechanics/Repair . There are always new Apprenticeships being developed so you are bound to find an occupation that fits your abilities and interests.

Fiction: Apprenticeships are only for students who aren’t “cut out” for college

Fact: Apprenticeship requires knowledge as well as skill. Part of your Apprenticeship includes the educational component, which requires you to take college courses to eventually earn an associate degree.

Apprenticeship in the 21st century requires related instruction as well as on-the-job training. Many apprenticeable occupations require at least an associate’s degree, while some professions require a bachelor’s degree. Many professions require extensive math skills, i.e. electronics, electricians, computer repair technicians, etc. The difference is you immediately get to put academic theory into practice. Apprentices learn skills in the context of their occupations and the way that they will be used.

Fiction: Once you start an Apprenticeship, there is no turning back

Fact: Apprenticeships demand a strong commitment, but in the event that you choose an occupation that does not fit for you, there is the ability to cancel the Apprenticeship.

Fiction: Apprenticeship exploits cheap student labor

Fact: Apprentices earn wages, even while they are training. You typically start out being paid a certain percentage of the salary given to a professional or journeyman in your occupation. As you develop more skills and understanding, your pay increases for every fixed number of hours of training you complete.

Did you know…?

There are over 1,000 apprenticeable occupations.

Apprentice graduates are more likely to become supervisors and less likely to experience unemployment compared with non-apprenticed workers.

Apprentices gain work credentials/certifications upon their completion of the Apprenticeship program that are recognized in all 50 states and in some foreign countries.

Apprenticeable Occupations

Examples of occupations in which you can become an Apprentice:

Family and Consumer Sciences

Child Care Development Specialist, Cook, Decorator, Dressmaker, Dry Cleaner, Teacher’s Aide, Tailor, Screen Printer, Hotel Associate

Health Science & Technology

Home Health Aide, Dental Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Optician, Paramedic, Lab Technician, Counselor, EMT, Animal Trainer, Medical Assistant, Radiographer, Surgical Technologist, Certified Nursing Assistant

Arts

Jeweler, interior designer, landscape Gardner, Glass Blower, Floral Designer, Stained Glass Artist, Actor, Patternmaker, Photographer, Illustrator.

Service

Bank Teller, Paralegal, Police Officer, Repairer

Information Technology, Business, and Marketing

Sound Technician, Telecommunicator, Television and Radio Rep, Computer Programmer, Meteorologist, IT Project Manager, Logistics Engineer, Radio Station Operator, Rocket Motor Mechanic.

Trade, Technical, & Agriculture

Locksmith, Plumber, Welder, Electrician, Auto Mechanic, Fire Fighter, Fish & Game Warden, Cosmetologist, Correction Officer, Aircraft Mechanic, Carpenter, Able Seaman, Machinist, Taxidermist, Tree Surgeon, Logger, Gunsmith, Farmer

Note: Not all Apprenticeships are available in every part of Maine and the availability of apprenticeable occupations depends on local industry needs.

Carpentry Pre-Apprentice

Paths to Apprenticeship

~ The Maine Pre-Apprenticeship Program

An excellent way to prepare for an Apprenticeship is through a Pre-Apprenticeship. This is a great opportunity for students who are (1) at least 16 years old, (2) juniors or seniors in high school, and are (3) on track for graduation.

The Pre-Apprenticeship Program allows you to attend high school full-time and work part-time as a Pre-Apprentice.

~ Apply to be an Apprentice

Once you have decided on an occupation, you can contact your local CareerCenter and ask to speak with the Apprenticeship Representative.

If you already have a job and would like to use Apprenticeship to increase your occupation-related skills and knowledge

Contact your local CareerCenter’s Apprenticeship Representative who will assist you with setting up an Apprenticeship with your employer. Another option is for your employer to contact your local CareerCenter’s Apprenticeship Representative to become a registered sponsor if they are not already.

How education puts money in your pocket (chart)

Education and Training PAYS- literally

According to the 2004 Census data,

A person who graduates from college with an associate's degree will make
$500,000 more
during their working life than a person without a college degree!

Those with bachelor's degrees average over $20,000 a year more than those with only a high school diploma.

Students

LINKS FOR STUDENTS

Maine Job Bank An electronic labor exchange that provides job seekers and employers a marketplace to connect online at no cost to them

Youth Build
A youth and community development program that addresses core issues facing low-income communities

Job Corps
A no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor

Business, Trade and Technical Schools
Searchable vocational school database and career training resources

Career One Stop
A career-oriented federal-state partnership web portal

America's Service Locator
Includes a searchable database of service providers for job training, education opportunities, and other services

FirstGov for Workers
A one-stop federal site for career information

America's Career InfoNet
Employment trends, job training requirements and more

ABOUT APPRENTICESHIP